Alumni Board Spotlight - LeRoy Gardner, '03

Majors/Minors: Psychology

Family Information:
Suzanna, wife of nine years and our six-year-old son Amari
Work Information: ConocoPhillips out of Houston, Texas
What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy traveling, working out, reading, spending time with my family, and riding my motorcycle.
What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? The community is great, everyone is friendly and welcoming. You really get to know the other students, faculty, and staff.
What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? I think they have done a great job of continuous improvement to the campus in challenging economic times, while still retaining the environment mentioned above. We still have great music, athletics, academics, and a positive reputation regionally.
What does "Being Orange" mean to you? Never losing the sense of being a part of the unique community and trying to bring a bit of Wartburg with me wherever I am today. Go Knights!

Alumni Board Spotlight - Bolden Harris '01

Major/Minors: Biology

Family Information: Girlfriend Emily and her son, Dominique

Work Information: Chiropractor at Four Points Family Chiropractic

About me: I can't believe 10 years have gone by so quickly, and I really do miss Wartburg. Considering I hail from Texas, I never thought I would say I miss Iowa, but Wartburg has a special place in my heart. I have been honored to serve on the Wartburg Alumni Board and on the extension faculty for Palmer College of Chiropractic, and I have stayed active in my community. After graduating from Wartburg, I attended Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, where I graduated as valedictorian of my class, served as Student Council president, was a graduate teaching assistant and also worked as an intern for two years through the prestigious Troxell Intern Program. Upon graduating, I opened my own practice in Arlington, Texas, then sold it three years later to help take care of my ailing father. I have since relocated to beautiful Austin, Texas, and have never been happier. I have been fortunate to work with the University of Texas at Arlington, discussing the benefits of chiropractic for ADD/ADHD children with the College of Social Work and serving as team chiropractor for the club football team. I also served as the team doctor for the 2006 NWCA Wrestling Tournament, which featured Wartburg's own Blake Gillis. I enjoy public speaking and have had the opportunity to speak regularly at Camp LT alongside future hall of fame NFL running back, Ladainian Tomlinson. I have also been fairly involved in politics over the last few years. I was elected to serve as a national delegate for Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where I met First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebilius and Iowa's District 1 House Representative Bruce Braley. Since then, I have served as a Texas state delegate and have been working on resolutions to better incorporate chiropractic with the new health care law. I love to travel and recently returned from a chiropractic mission trip to India. I have also traveled to Brazil and Nicaragua in past years to serve the less fortunate. I plan to open my own practice again and to run for political office to continue working on healthcare legislation.

Favorite Wartburg Memory:
One of my fondest memories is visiting Germany with the Wartburg football team, seeing the Wartburg Castle and playing in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

What do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy reading, writing, traveling, rock climbing, watching football, politics and most of all, helping others.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
The campus has always been beautiful, the education has consistently been topnotch, but I think what sets Wartburg apart is that it feels like a family. I live close to the University of Texas, which has tens of thousands of students who get lost in the shuffle. Wartburg is different, because I'm always amazed that I can come back five or 10 years later and the faculty still remember me. It makes me feel like I was important and not just a number. The funny name and bright orange colors also create a lifelong bond with other Wartburgers.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
My favorite thing about Wartburg is that the college is always focused on the future and provides an environment that is welcoming to a diverse array of students. Being a minority and not a native Iowan, I found Wartburg still made me feel right at home.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
Being Orange to me means standing out in the crowd by being the best you can be, being a leader, an innovator and being a part of something bigger than yourself, the Wartburg family.

Alumni Board Spotlight: Johnna Haag Klein '97

Majors: Social Work and Religion

Family Information: My husband, Terry, is a class of '97 Wartburg graduate as well. We married at the Wartburg Chapel, summer of '97. We have a son, Bridger, who is seven, our daughter, Carson, is five and we have our grand finale child due in the coming weeks!

Work Information: Upon graduation we moved to Apple Valley, MN, where I had an AWESOME opportunity to work with the Children and Youth at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. While working at the church I took classes at the College of St. Catherine and the University of St. Thomas to gain a Master's degree in Social Work. As part of my degree I needed to do an internship for three days a week, sadly I had to quit my job at the church to complete my degree. Soon after my internship ended I graduated and Terry and I had our son, Bridger, and I began my latest career of full time mom!

What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, parents and friends. When I have time I enjoy reading, going on walks and bike rides, drinking Chai tea, journaling and taking pictures.

What do I think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?

The young men and women who graduate from Wartburg enter the post-collegiate world with the leadership skills beyond the text books, with the desire to be of service to others, beyond their own benefit and a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Christian faith and what role their relationship with Jesus will play in their lives as they journey on after life at Wartburg.

The genuine sense of belonging, welcoming, personal connections, warmth and feeling of "home" there is on campus between students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. The people and place of Wartburg College are inviting. There is beauty on campus that radiates from the inside out, from the campus population, the landscape, the buildings and permeates those who walk the halls and sidewalks. I don't know how someone could walk onto Wartburg's campus and not be drawn in by the spirit of the college?!

What are my favorite things about Wartburg?

-The feeling on campus I just mentioned.

-Meeting current students and chatting with them, they are amazing!

-Being more deeply involved by serving on the Alumni Board.

-The fact that my husband, kids, and I feel so at home here when we visit. My kids love being at Wartburg, running around campus, swimming at The W, having a cool cookie at the Den while looking forward to O.P. Pizza! What a gift to watch them fall in love with Wartburg College, a place that means so much to my husband and I!

What does Being Orange mean to you?

Being Orange means passing on your love for our Alma Mater to those around you as well as supporting the college in whatever ways you can.

-Wear Wartburg gear and share your stories of time at Wartburg.

-Offer to bring local high school students to campus for a visit!

-Put a Wartburg decal on your car, a pendant in your office, be loud and proud about where you went to school!

-Attend Homecoming, sports or music events.

-Give financially, as you are able.

** Don't only have Wartburg as a part of your past, make it a part of your present and future. That is what being Orange means to me and some of the ways I think each of us can Be Orange for Life!

Alumni Board Spotlight - Christine Zonneveld '78

Major/Minors: Psychology/political science and business

Family Information: Three boys: Danny, senior in high school; Peter, junior in high school, and Andy, 8th grader

Work Information:

Part time: Customer Service, Lakewinds Natural Foods

Very part time: Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association

Executive producer of "Phasma Ex Machina", an independent film, which recently played to sold out houses at the Minneapolis and Montreal film festivals.

What do you enjoy doing? Spending time with my boys, whether it's going to a movie, bowling, watching Jon Stewart/Comedy Central, or attending my oldest son's horse shows. Movies, travel, my early morning coffee group, swimming, reading, and taking walks with our dog.

What do I think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? Their reputation of excellence, whether it be academic or athletic. Their friendliness and sense of community.

What is currently my favorite thing about Wartburg? Serving on the Alumni Board of Directors. It keeps me connected with the school, and gives me the opportunity to meet and serve with individuals whom I normally wouldn't have met. Volunteering during Homecoming also gives me opportunities to meet amazing, fun, and talented students and alumni.

What does being orange mean to you? Being part of the larger Wartburg community. Raising awareness of the college and all it has to offer.

At the wedding of the daughter of a friend of mine this Friday, we were seated at a table with another couple. We began chatting, and before long, I mentioned being a graduate of Wartburg. You can imagine my surprise when the husband informed me he was also a Wartburg graduate. It's amazing how Wartburg graduates, parents, and friends are everywhere! It's a wonderful feeling of community.

Meals from the Heartland

The Des Moines 'Meals from the Heartland' was a success! 24 people participated. There were several new faces and several families, which made it neat to have kids involved. The youngest was a 6 year old. Below are some of the paraphrased positive comments about doing this:

“I always thought about doing Meals From the Heartland, but never did until I saw that the Wartburg alumni group was going. It was so easy to sign up and then I was accountable for going.”

“We haven’t done anything with the alumni group before, but we thought Meals From the Heartland sounded like a good thing to do, so we signed up.”

“I thought my boys were going to give me a hard time for signing them up to volunteer on a Friday night, but they didn’t complain one bit!”
The group divided into 3 tables and we packed a total of:
34 cases = 1,224 meal packages = 7,344 meals (equal to an individual serving which is the quantity the event refers to)

During the 90 minutes we were packaging, the whole building packed about 400,000 meals. The event this year packed a total of 4,490,640 meals.

One participant said, "It was great to see how something so easy could be a great event and lots of fun!"

Check out pictures from the event here!

Alumni Board Spotlight-Abigail Smith

Graduation Year 2000
Major/Minors Biology

Family Information: I am married to Kevin Smith, also a 2000 graduate, and we have one son, Nicholas, who is 14 months old. We also have two dogs, Gizmo & Gadget, who are still adjusting to their demotion back to ‘doghood’ after Nicholas came home!

Work Information: I am an on-call pediatric Occupational Therapist at ChildServe in Johnston, IA.

About me: Being an on-call OT has allowed me time to volunteer in other activities, such as the Wartburg Alumni Board, church bell choir, and other church committees. I also volunteer with one of our dogs at ChildServe. Gizmo enjoys his weekly job: to bring smiles to kids’ faces and encourage them in their therapy.

What do you enjoy doing?
Previously I enjoyed reading, sewing, playing cards, and going on bike rides. However, now most of my time is taken up with playing with our son, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
I believe one of the many benefits Wartburg has to offer is faculty that are committed to teaching and demonstrate a sincere interest in the students’ personal success.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
I really enjoy meeting some of the current Wartburg students when I am back on campus. It makes me realize that Wartburg is continuing to attract stellar students that are carrying on the Wartburg pride and traditions. They are just as cool as when we were there :-)

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
Being Orange is always remembering what I learned at Wartburg. The faculty, staff, and entire Wartburg College experience, both on and off campus, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and learn more about the world and my role in it than I ever could have imagined from a small college in a small town. Wartburg College provided me with four years of encouragement and growth that has impacted who I am today, how I live my life, and what I choose to do with my time and talents.

Last Two Outflys of the Summer!

With August coming to a close and school in the near future, President Colson and the Alumni Association finished up the Outfly Season with an event in Cedar Falls at Gateway Park Pavilion, and then had a grand finale right on Wartburg's campus.
The rain held off at the Black Hawk County Outfly, allowing for lively conversation. August 17th was an enjoyable evening.
The Cedar Valley Outfly on campus had 285 people in attendance! It is no surprise that the record attendance was at the Outfly located back on the 'old stomping grounds.' The summer was full of fun and memories--the alums' spirit for Wartburg was very evident.

To see pictures from the Black Hawk County Outfly click here.

For pictures from the Cedar Valley Outfly click here.

To see videos from both events as well as from the whole summer-click here.